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The Specialized High School Admissions Test (SHSAT) is taken by 8th or 9th graders who are interested in applying to any of eight of New York City's Specialized High Schools:

The Bronx High School of Science

The Brooklyn Latin School

Brooklyn Technical High School

High School for Mathematics, Science and Engineering at the City College

High School of American Studies at Lehman College

Queens High School for the Sciences at York College

Staten Island Technical High School

Stuyvesant High School

This article will provide you with the information you need about the application and registration process for the SHSAT and the Specialized High Schools.

Reach Out to Your Guidance Counselor

The first step in applying to one of the Specialized High Schools is to reach out to the guidance counselor at your school. The guidance counselor will be able to provide you with an admission ticket to the Specialized High School Admissions Test or SHSAT. If desired, the guidance counselor can also provide you with the necessary ticket for the LaGuardia High School of Music & Art.

SHSAT Ticket with Date, Location & Time of Test

You will receive your SHSAT test ticket get about a week before the SHSATtakes place. The ticket will provide you with information on the location of the test, the date and time of the test, and your student ID number and school ID number.

On the back of the ticket, you will be asked to fill out the list of schools you want to attend. It is absolutely essential that you fill out the list of the schools you want to attend in preferential order, ie: start with your ideal school and then list the others -- from highest to lowest -- you would also like to attend. You don't have to list all eight schools if you don't want to, but you won't be able to apply to these schools at a later date.

Take the SHSAT

Take the test in October. See below for SHSAT test dates and locations.

Submit NYC Public High School Admissions Application

Following the test date, submit a New York City Public High School Admissions Application to your guidance counselor, usually before early December. This will be your chance to also list other high schools/programs around New York City that you want to go to. Note that this form is necessary to submit if you want to receive your SHSAT test results.

SHSAT Results

Students receive notice in February whether they have won admission to one of the schools. Students are offered a place in one of the Specialized High Schools based on their score on the SHSAT. Schools, starting from the highest to lowest scorers offer each student a spot in their highest prioritized school if seats are still available. This process continues until all spots in all the specialized high schools are taken.

SHSAT TEST DATES

September 8, 2016 -- SHSAT Registration starts.

October 13, 2016 -- Final Deadline to register for Fall SHSAT.

October 19, 2016 -- Release of SHSAT ticket.

October 22 and 23, 2016 -- SHSAT Test Days for 8th graders. Students will be provided with a specific date.

October 30 and November 5, 2016 -- SHSAT Test Days for all current 9th graders. 8th and 9th graders with special needs and approved 504 accommodations. 8th and 9th grade English Language Learners. SHSAT Make-up Test Days (by permission only and must register in advance)

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